Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for detecting, isolating, and/or characterizing a T cell or autoantibody associated with type I diabetes. The composition and methods comprise the use of a hybrid insulin peptide having an N-terminal amino acid sequence taken from the human insulin peptide and a C-terminal amino acid sequence taken from a secretory granule protein that are joined through a peptide bond to form an autoimmune antigen. The detecting, isolating and characterization step further includes performing an immunoassay and/or T cell proliferation assay with the disclosed hybrid insulin peptides, where preferably, the immunoassay is an ELISPOT assay.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in one embodiment, to a method of preventing or treating diabetes using low molecular weight antioxidants. In a further embodiment, the invention relates to a method of protecting and/or enhancing viability of cells/tissues/organs during isolation (harvesting), preservation, expansion and/or transplantation. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of inducing immune tolerance. The invention also relates to compounds and compositions suitable for use in such methods.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the development and treatment of autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases can result from tissue damage caused by the activation of autoreactive T cells by autoantigens. For example, peptide fragments of naturally occurring proteins (i.e., for example, chromogranin A) may activate autoreactive T cells that result in the destruction of pancreatic ? islet cells, possibly by the release of inflammatory cytokines (i.e., for example, interferon-?). One naturally occurring biologically active chromogranin A peptide fragment, WE14, may comprise a diabetogenic autoantigen. Truncation and extension analysis of WE14 indicates that the stimulating binding register of WE14 occupies only half of the mouse IAg7 peptide binding groove, leaving positions p1 to p4 empty.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in one embodiment, to a method of preventing or treating diabetes using low molecular weight antioxidants. In a further embodiment, the invention relates to a method of protecting and/or enhancing viability of cells/tissues/organs during isolation (harvesting), preservation, expansion and/or transplantation. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of inducing immune tolerance. The invention also relates to compounds and compositions suitable for use in such methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in one embodiment, to a method of preventing or treating diabetes using low molecular weight antioxidants. In a further embodiment, the invention relates to a method of protecting and/or enhancing viability of cells/tissues/organs during isolation (harvesting), preservation, expansion and/or transplantation. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of inducing immune tolerance. The invention also relates to compounds and compositions suitable for use in such methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in one embodiment, to a method of preventing or treating diabetes using low molecular weight antioxidants. In a further embodiment, the invention relates to a method of protecting and/or enhancing viability of cells/tissues/organs during isolation (harvesting), preservation, expansion and/or transplantation. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of inducing immune tolerance. The invention also relates to compounds and compositions suitable for use in such methods.